Bombay HC rejects Shilpa Shetty’s interim relief in Rs 60-crore fraud case

Bombay High Court rejects travel allowance for Shilpa Shetty

The Bombay High Court has refused to lift the travel restrictions on actor Shilpa Shetty in connection with a Rs 60-crore fraud case involving her husband, businessman Raj Kundra.

As per News18, Shilpa had approached the court hoping to cancel a lookout circular issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), which currently bars her from travelling abroad. However, the court made it clear that no such relief would be granted just yet.

During the hearing, Shilpa told the court that she had no real involvement with the company at the centre of the case — Best Deal TV Private Limited — and that she was only a nominal director.

But the bench, led by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, was unconvinced. “If you want to go abroad, first become a government witness,” the judges remarked sharply.

They further asked Shilpa to submit a detailed affidavit by 16 October, and added, “If you say you have no connection with the company, get your husband Raj Kundra to sign an affidavit to this effect.” The court didn’t stop there — it insisted the couple must first deposit the full ₹60 crore allegedly owed to the complainant. “The fraud case is worth ₹60 crore — pay it first,” the bench observed.

The case dates back to between 2015 and 2023, when businessman Deepak Kothari claimed he was convinced to invest Rs 60 crore in Best Deal TV, which was co-directed by Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty. He alleged that instead of being used for the business, the funds were diverted for personal purposes.

Also Read: Bombay HC asks Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra to deposit Rs 60 crore for foreign travel amid cheating case probe

Raj Kundra has told investigators that the company, which dealt in household and electronic items, collapsed financially after demonetisation, leaving it unable to repay investors. So far, he’s been questioned twice by the EOW, while Shilpa was interrogated for over four hours at her home earlier this month.

The couple had requested temporary suspension of the lookout notice so they could travel abroad for work and leisure.

But the court was firm, stating that such requests couldn’t be entertained while both remained accused in a serious fraud case. While their cooperation with the investigation has helped them avoid arrest for now, the court made it clear: no further relief until the money is repaid.